However, it estimates a rise of 0.2% in emissions by 2016 which marks a clear break from the rapid growth of 2.3% per year in the decade to 2013, with just 0.7% growth seen in 2014

China saw emissions decrease by 0.7% in 2015, compared to growth of more than 5% per year in the previous decade. A further reduction of 0.5% is projected for 2016.

The US also reduced its coal consumption while increasing its oil and gas usage. Its emissions dropped by 2.6% last year. Its emissions for 2016 are projected to fall by 1.7% in 2016.

On the other hand the EU’s carbon emissions increased by 1.4% last year and India’s by 5.2 % during the same period.

Prof Corinne Le Quéré, Director of the Tyndall Centre at UEA who led the data analysis said: “This third year of almost no growth in emissions is unprecedented at a time of strong economic growth. This is a great help for tackling climate change but it is not enough. Global emissions now need to decrease rapidly, not just stop growing.”

“Part of the CO2 emissions are absorbed by the ocean and by trees. With temperatures soaring in 2015 and 2016, less CO2 was absorbed by trees because of the hot and dry conditions related to the El Niño event. Atmospheric CO2 levels have exceeded 400 parts per million and will continue to rise and cause the planet to warm until emissions are cut down to near zero.”